• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Pentax KP
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 KP
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1049.99 $1099.50
Street Price: $859.40 $998.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2017-02-25
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
24.7 oz (699 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 101 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 24.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 3.91 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
6016 x 4000 (24.1 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format:   MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3/4)
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes SAFOX 11 TTL phase-matching - 27 points (25 cross type focus points in the center), Auto (27 AF points), Zone select, Select, Expanded Area (S, M, L), Spot; Contrast detection AF in Live View with Face detection, Tracking, Multiple AF points, Select, Spot AF area modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., 23.3mm eyepoint (from center of lens), -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, interchangeable Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 819200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 100-819200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/24000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) TTL open-aperture with 86K-pixel RGB sensor: Multi-segment, Center-weighted and Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Sensitivity Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, USER1, USER2, USER3, USER4, USER5; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3, Advanced HDR, Exposure bracket value; Highlight Correction; Shadow Correction; Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing; Pixel Shift Resolution (Motion Correction ON/OFF); Digital filters (Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No 24.0 megapixels
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off P-TTL; Auto Flash Discharge (Scene Analyze Auto), Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction (Scene Analyze Auto) Flash On, Flash On+ Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, Manual Flash Discharge (Full-1/128), Wireless (Controller)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 6.0 m / 19.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent GN=6m (ISO 100)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote USB 2.0 Micro B (SlimPort compatable; SlimPort-HDMI adapter required for HDMI output), 3.5mm external stereo mic / cable switch jack, external power terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 7.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 35
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   10
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   8
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.09 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.284 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.083 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.083 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 1.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 1.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 390 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary D-LI109
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Software CD-ROM includes Digital Camera Utility 5
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). Available in black or silver. At launch, Pentax will be including all three interchangeable grips in the product bundle in the US market.